Suu Kyi placed under temporary arrest

June 1 2003

Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been put under temporary arrest in the country's north after a violent clash between her supporters and a pro-junta group which left four dead, the junta said yesterday.

"Aung San Suu Kyi has been temporarily placed under the protection of local authorities," military spokesman Brigadier General Than Tun told reporters, adding that her entourage was also in "protective custody."

Than Tun said eight motor vehicles and nine motorcycles were destroyed in the melee, which broke out in the town of Ye U in Sagaing division, where Aung San Suu Kyi had been making a political tour.

"Four persons died during the scuffle and 50 were injured," Than Tun said. He did not specify which group the four dead belonged to, but said the injured were from both sides.

Than Tun accused NLD members of setting fire to at least one of the vehicles used by members of the junta-sponsored Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA).");document.write("

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He said there were no immediate plans to bring Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released from house arrest just over a year ago, back to the capital Rangoon.

Than Tun expressed confidence that the dramatic events would not completely derail the political reconciliation process between the junta and Aung San Suu Kyi, which is widely viewed as having stalled in recent months.

"Although these incidents instigated by the NLD will adversely affect national reconciliation, we do not consider that this will stop the dialogue," he said.

Aung San Suu Kyi was on a month-long political tour of Burma's north, which caused her relations with the junta to deteriorate sharply.

Both the NLD and the junta have complained about clashes between NLD supporters and USDA members.

Yesterday, Burma's state-run press was openly critical of the Nobel peace laureate, the first time such criticism has appeared since UN-brokered talks began between the democracy leader and junta in October 2000.